LCU starts regional vs. Sterling

The NAIA baseball committee threw Lubbock Christian University a couple of curveballs.

First, LCU wasn't picked to host an NAIA National Tournament Opening Round bracket for the first time since the format went into effect in 2009. Then the Chaparrals, after being led to believe Azusa, Calif., would be their destination, wound up assigned to Oklahoma City instead.

The Chaps will play at Jim Wade Stadium, home of their Sooner Athletic Conference rival Oklahoma City University.

"It's not easy to get to Lewiston (site of the NAIA World Series), whether we were in Oklahoma City or Azusa," LCU coach Nathan Blackwood said. "The competition level is about the same. I would prefer for our guys to be able to go somewhere else, just to experience something different."

Oklahoma City, against whom the Chaparrals are 2-2 this year, is the No. 1 seed in the bracket. Second-seeded LCU (33-20) opens at 2:30 p.m. today against third-seeded Sterling, Kan. (43-12). LCU is ranked No. 19 and Sterling No. 25 in the NAIA Top 25.

The Warriors lead the NAIA in batting average and rank top 10 in runs per game (8.3), hits per game (11.2), stolen bases (147) and slugging percentage, presenting a challenge for LCU pitcher Shane Ingram (5-2, 2.77 earned-run average), who will start the first game.

The winners will join No. 10 Lewis-Clark State at the NAIA World Series May 25-June 1 in Lewiston, Idaho.

Before the brackets were announced late Sunday, Blackwood said he'd been told the Chaps likely would be at the regional hosted by No. 4 Azusa Pacific. Instead, No. 18 Shorter College from Georgia got that cross-country assignment.

"I was talking to them throughout the day on Sunday and still thought we would be heading that way," Blackwood said.

The Oklahoma City site comes with plenty of familiarity. LCU played three pool-play games last week at Jim Wade Stadium, winning all three. In the last game of pool play, LCU beat Oklahoma City 6-5 to advance to the championship game.

Oklahoma Baptist beat LCU 19-8 in the title game at Shawnee, Okla., but the 3-0 showing in pool play came after the Chaps had lost eight of their last 13 regular-season games.

"We didn't end very good," Blackwood said, "but our guys know they're capable of winning three games. That's what it takes to win one of these things, so that's what we've talked about, and hopefully we'll carry some of that momentum into this week."

The last three years, LCU beat Wayland Baptist, Mount Marty (S.D.) and Kansas Wesleyan to win Opening Round tournament championship games and earn trips to Lewiston. All those contests were at Hays Field.

"I knew since we weren't ranked as high at the time the bids came out (this year), there was a chance we wouldn't be a host," Blackwood said. "We still thought we could. I was a bit surprised when we saw Tabor, Kansas, get one and us not.

"At the same time, a lot of work goes into hosting one of these things. It's kind of nice to just sit and watch a little bit and show up to play when it's your turn."